Last updated: March 2026
Scottsdale — Traveler Guide
History comes alive in these extraordinary properties. Each hotel occupies a building with genuine heritage significance — whether a former palace, a converted monastery, an art-deco landmark, or a centuries-old townhouse — sensitively restored with contemporary comforts.
Quick Answer
History comes alive in these extraordinary properties. Each hotel occupies a building with genuine heritage significance — whether a former palace, a converted monastery, an art-deco landmark, or a centuries-old townhouse — sensitively restored with contemporary comforts.
6 hotels reviewed · Price range: $$$$, $, $$$, $$ · Last updated March 2026
About This Guide
Scottsdale offers exceptional options for travellers seeking historic hotels, and we've curated the very best. Each property has been selected for its outstanding facilities, prime location, and the quality of experience it delivers. Leading our list, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa excels with its exceptional attention to detail and commitment to the historic experience. The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort offers a compelling alternative with its unique approach and distinctive character. Whether you're a first-time visitor to Scottsdale or returning for another stay, these hotels represent the gold standard for historic accommodation in the city. Each has been independently evaluated for quality, location, and value.
Insider Tips
Book directly with the hotel for the best rate guarantee and potential upgrades.
Read recent guest reviews for the most up-to-date assessment of facilities.
Consider visiting during shoulder season for better rates and fewer crowds.
Ask the concierge for local recommendations — they know Scottsdale better than any guidebook.
Our Picks
6 hotels · Updated February 2026
Paradise Valley
Perched dramatically on the south slope of Camelback Mountain, this adults-preferred sanctuary — 98 casitas with heated private plunge pools — is built for couples seeking seclusion rather than resort-scale spectacle. Elements restaurant on the mountain terrace offers some of the most photographed dining views in Arizona.
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Paradise Valley
A desert palace carved into the base of Camelback Mountain with 645 acres of cactus gardens, 11 tennis courts, eight pools including a cactus-pool complex, and a spa that has topped national rankings for decades. The resort's sheer scale and perfection of execution — every detail handled with apparent effortlessness — make it the benchmark for Scottsdale luxury.
Old Town
The most vividly colorful hotel in Old Town — a PopArt-inspired property where the pool deck is styled like a desert fiesta and the adult pool scene on weekends rivals Vegas pool clubs at a fraction of the price. Rooms are modest in size but the energy, location, and price-to-fun ratio are unbeatable.
North Scottsdale / Carefree
Set among 12-million-year-old granite boulder formations in the Sonoran Desert near Carefree, this Waldorf Astoria property is visually unlike any resort on earth — casitas blend so perfectly into the rocks that the landscape seems to have grown the buildings. Two championship golf courses, a world-class spa, and extraordinary star-gazing complete the picture.
North Scottsdale
A sprawling North Scottsdale resort with one of Arizona's best family water parks (Kierland WaterSlide), an 18-hole championship golf course, and 732 rooms distributed across casitas and a main tower with mountain views. The Kierland Commons shopping complex immediately adjacent offers upscale retail without needing a car.
Old Town
Old Town's best full-service boutique resort at mid-range prices — 204 rooms surrounding a cascading pool complex with water slides and swim-up bars, plus a full spa and complimentary bicycle rentals. It's a short walk to Old Town's galleries and restaurants, making it ideal for visitors who want resort amenities without resort distances from urban life.
Keep Exploring
Common Questions
Yes — the best historic hotels preserve architectural character while offering thoroughly modern amenities including high-speed WiFi, premium bedding, and contemporary bathrooms.
Room sizes vary. Some heritage properties have grand suites, while others feature cozier rooms with unique architectural details. Room dimensions are usually listed in the booking description.
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Prices and availability change daily. Lock in the best rate by booking early — most of our top picks offer free cancellation.
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